Northern Vietnam · TOUR REVIEWS
A long weekend or a fortnight, the problem is the same: one city, four directions out of it, and not enough mornings. The 15 below are the days that earn their slot, priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.
Ride a vintage army jeep through Hanoi’s alleys, landmarks, Train Street, Long Bien Bridge, and a satisfying local meal.
“It’s a great way to see Hanoi city - we both really enjoyed ourselves. Freddie was a fabulous tour guide and Tan the best driver!! We loved Hidden Gem (those yummy coffees), the activities, and most importantly hearing about the history of Hanoi.”
Explore Ninh Binh from Hanoi with Hoa Lu temples, Mua Cave views, a Tam Coc boat ride, cycling, lunch, and small-group transfers.
“Phong was absolutely incredible guide. He makes a full day trip to Ninh Binh amazing - we biked to a pagoda, boat ride, mountain climb, lunch, rice fields - more than we expected.”
Cruise Ha Long Bay from Hanoi with cave walks, kayaking, Titop beach, seafood lunch, and sunset drinks for $41 per person.
“Sunny really showed all the places very well and his humorous is very funny and keep us very lively. Thank you Sunny.”
See Hanoi’s traditional water puppets, live Vietnamese music, and folk stories in a 50-minute show with reserved tickets from $7.
“The show itself was incredible! Beautifully done and a showcase of Vietnamese cultural traditions. Picking up the tickets was a bit of a hassle. the Email we recieved stated to pick up the tickets at the travel agency "at least 30 minutes before the show" we purchased the tickets the morning of and went to pick them up around 1030. the employee at the travel agency was very professional and informed us that our tickets were not ready yet but they would send a person to the show 30 minutes before it started to give us the tickets there. we arrived 40 minutes before the show but were unable to…”
See Hanoi by vintage motorbike, from backstreets and Long Bien Bridge to Train Street, with local food, coffee, guides, and hotel pickup.
“Danny is the best tour guide ever. Very safe, knowledgeable, funny. I highly recommend him and this tour”
Taste Hanoi classics, sip egg coffee, and watch a train pass close by on this flexible Old Quarter food tour for $19.
“This tour was awesome! Food was delicious and our guide Lee was so knowledgeable and taught us so much about the culture and history of Vietnam. Definitely book this!”
Learn Vietnamese cooking at Rose Kitchen with a local market walk, hands-on recipes, hotel transfers, and a meaningful community program.
“Kim was amazing! The visit to the market all the way through to engaging at her aunt’s cooking school. She was just incredibly personable, knowledgeable, and we created some of the most delicious dishes ever!”
Cook five Vietnamese classics, shop Hanoi’s market with a local chef, and enjoy your meal with rice vodka for $35.07.
“Excellent presentation and service. Very friendly, funny, and knowledgeable presenter. We enjoyed the food and the expertience.”
Taste Hanoi street food with a local guide, from noodle soup and pancakes to sandwiches, coffee, and beer, on a three-hour Old Quarter walk.
“Minh was amazing- knowledgeable, funny, relaxed, kind. I had the best time ever! Minh THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU WERE AMAZING!!!!!!!”
Review of a $33 Ninh Binh day tour from Hanoi covering Hoa Lu, Tam Coc by boat, village cycling, Mua Cave, lunch, and transport.
“We booked our full-day tour in Ninh Binh at the very last minute after hearing so many incredible things from other travelers—and it ended up being one of the absolute highlights of our Vietnam trip, right up there with Sa Pa and Ha Long Bay. Yes, it is touristy, but honestly, it’s easy to see why. The boat ride through the river, surrounded by towering limestone mountains and lush scenery, is simply jaw-dropping. Photos really don’t do it justice. Being there in person feels peaceful, surreal, and unforgettable all at once. The day was well organized and gave us a great overview of what makes Ninh Binh so special. If…”
Amanda Cruise explores Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay with caves, kayaking, Ti Top Island, meals, Hanoi transfers, and overnight cabins.
“Visiting Ha Long Bay was a dream of mine and Roxanne and team deliver a very luxurious experience. Although there were a couple of issues along the way Roxanne and team handle them effectively and professionally! The team in the yacht were exceptional. Thank you for making my dream come true! I would highly recommend their service!!!”
Review of Hanoi’s Ninh Binh day trip, with Bai Dinh or Hoa Lu, Trang An boat ride, Mua Cave hike, lunch, and practical tips.
“It was such a perfect day! Saw so many beautiful sceneries. The temple was impressive and our guide Henry was so knowledgeable about it all and also patient when we went up the Mua cave which I recommend to do such a rewarding view. Trang an river was out of a movie. I would go again and do a different path option for sure!”
See Ninh Binh from Hanoi by boat, scooter, and foot, with Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Hoa Lu, Bich Dong, and a local lunch in one full day.
“Guide is knowledgeable and friendly. Be prepared for any last minute minor changes but communication is good via WhatsApp etc.”
Spend a full day from Hanoi exploring Hoa Lu, Tam Coc or Trang An, village lanes, a local lunch, and Hang Mua’s famous mountain view.
“Great experience and definitely recommend for anyone visiting Hanoi. Our guide Gary/Hop was really informative on the vietnamese history and context of the tour spots which made it feel authentic, thank you”
A practical review of Cozy Bay’s Halong Bay day cruise, with Hanoi transfers, buffet lunch, cave, Ti Top hike, kayaking, and sunset views.
“Tim was really good. Made the trains run on time. One day was optimal for the activities planned by the crew.”
Pick a bay, a valley or a bowl of noodles.
